Low solar radiation intensity in state hits power output

Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco) has so far commissioned projects generating 418.9 MW of solar power after signing MoUs with several companies to generate 1200 MW. All these are small firms with installed capacities between 1 MW and 50 MW. Among them is the 18 MW project commissioned on January 15.

As per the power purchase agreement with the state government, the companies will sell power at Rs.7.01 a unit for 25 years. Since October 2015, the total solar power generation has been less than 100 MW, crossing 200 MW only once, at 1 p.m. This was mainly due to the monsoon and the dip in day temperatures.

All the projects commissioned so far are less than 50 MW capacity, most of them in Madurai, Ramanathapuram and nearby districts. Power generation has been lower than the installed capacity, a senior Tangedco official said.